Buffalo Trace Seasoned Stave Experiment Bourbons

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Buffalo Trace Distillery has released the latest round of its experimental whiskey collection, two bourbons aged for more than nine years in barrels made from oak staves seasoned for an unusual length of time.

The bourbons, filled with Buffalo Trace’s mash recipe #1, were put away to age on October 27, 2009, in new barrels with staves that were seasoned for 36 months and 48 months. Most barrel staves air dry for six months, but these oak staves were allowed to season for much longer, in hopes the barrels would offer a unique flavor, different than standard barrels.

“Although the taste difference is slight between the two experiments, these whiskeys taste different than our flagship Buffalo Trace bourbon,” says Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “The 48-month seasoned stave barrels created a more mellow taste and holds less flavor from the wood. The 36-month seasoned stave bourbon is a little more flavorful with oak notes and caramel present.”

These bourbons are sold in a two-pack case, so consumers can evaluate the two and compare taste differences.

Each bourbon was bottled at 90 proof.

This is the 22nd experimental release from Buffalo Trace Distillery, having started with its first experimental release in 2006. Buffalo Trace has increased its commitment to experimentation with the recent addition of its Warehouse X, the company says. Smaller in size, Warehouse X is designed to explore the extent of environmental influences on the flavor profiles of whiskey.

The Experimental Collection is packaged in 375-ml. bottles. Each label includes all the pertinent information unique to that barrel of whiskey. These whiskeys retail for approximately $46.35 each and will be available in late February 2019. Experimental Collection releases are generally quite small and have limited availability.